Maryland 1A- Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The MPSSAA playoffs are under way and here is a look at some players to watch as we advance into the second round.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='569087' first='Mariah' last='Jones-Bey'], Pikesville, 2026, Combo Guard</strong>- </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":602901,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/20230221_200416.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-602901" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mariah has been a solid contributor down the stretch for Pikesville. With the loss of two guards this season due to transfers, the Panthers needed at least one guard to step up. The freshman has improved steadily in the second half of the season and came up big in the Baltimore County championship game. She is a good three point shooter and has shown improvement in getting to the rim and making tough, contested shots. Most importantly she has been a steady ball handler and floor general which the team really needs if they want to repeat as 1A champions. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Makiyiah Ward, CMIT North, 2025, Guard</strong>- Makiyiah is a tough, physical guard with an aggressive scoring mentality. She is relentless in attacking the basket and drawing fouls and setting her teammates up for open shots. She is super competitive, and the team goes as she does. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Natavia Ross, Surrattsville, 2023, Wing- </strong>Natavia averages over 20 points per game and is a threat from all over the court. She averages two makes per game from three point range so defenses have to respect her range. She really excels at getting in the lane where she can make pull-up jumpers or get all the way to the basket. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='304357' first='Chaniya' last='Taylor'], Forest Park, 2024, Center</strong>- </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":489090,"width":274,"height":274,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/08/IMG_20211230_115059_794.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-489090" width="274" height="274" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: ROK Baller <a href="https://www.RokBaller.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ROK Baller</a></figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Chaniya is a defensive terror for the Foresters. She challenges everything in the paint and averages over 3 blocks per game. She is a real tone-setter for the defense and crashes the boards as well. Her offense is rounding out as well as she is finding more ways to score. She has started to develop her face up game and is more comfortable shooting mid-range jumpers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Azareyah Whiting, Havre De Grace, 2024- Wing</strong>- Azareya has a strong motor and a good IQ. She knows all the team's plays from all the positions and communicates well on both ends of the court. She pays attention to detail and makes shots with both hands. Defensively she has active hands and comes up with a lot of blocks and steals. I love her versatility. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Meona Boykin, Loch Raven, 2024, Wing</strong>- Loch Raven opened the season on a 16-game winning streak and Meona was a big reason why. She has been scoring the ball at a good clip, posing a threat from distance and getting to the basket at all will. She brings versatility to the team, playing small forward, power forward and some guard when necessary. Look for her to put up some big numbers while the Raiders advance into the third round. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->